Iraqi Parliament to Convene Over Drone Attacks on KRG Oil Infrastructure

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Responding to urgent calls from Kurdish lawmakers, the Iraqi Parliament will convene a special session on Monday to address the wave of drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region's economic infrastructure, alongside a separate tragic incident in the city of Kut.

The Iraqi Council of Representatives officially published the agenda for its session on Monday, July 21, 2025, confirming the two main topics for discussion. The first item listed is "the terrorist attacks by unmanned aircraft (drones) on the infrastructure of the Kurdistan Region." The second topic will be the deadly mall fire in Kut, which claimed 61 lives.

The parliamentary session comes after the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) faction issued a forceful statement on Thursday, July 17, demanding action. The KDP's statement described the attacks as part of an "unjust economic pressure on the Kurdistan Region" and called for an urgent parliamentary session to "discuss these dangerous developments and review the government's measures."

In its call to action, the KDP faction demanded that the federal government assume its "constitutional responsibility to protect the country's security and stability." The faction insisted that Baghdad must take serious steps to halt the attacks, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice.

Describing the drone assaults as "a dangerous escalation against Iraq's sovereignty, security, and stability," the KDP statement reiterated that the attacks cause significant damage to Iraq's "economic lifeblood."

The faction also took aim at the motives of those behind the daily strikes, stating, "It is very clear that the individuals behind these attacks are in no way patriotic, but rather are working to implement agendas that serve their narrow interests at the expense of the Iraqi people and its unity."

The parliamentary debate comes amid mounting international pressure on Baghdad to act. On Friday, the United Kingdom added its voice to the condemnation, with its embassy urging the Iraqi government to "prevent further attacks and hold those responsible to account." The British statement noted that the attacks "damage Iraq's economy, and undermine Iraq's stability."

The UK's message follows multiple strong condemnations from the United States. The U.S. State Department described the attacks as a threat to "Iraq’s stability and economic future," while a senior U.S. lawmaker, Representative Joe Wilson, threatened that Iraq could be blocked from using its oil revenues deposited in the U.S. Federal Reserve if Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani does not take "decisive action" against what he termed "Iran-backed Iraqi militias."

The international outcry was triggered by a significant escalation in attacks, with at least seven drone strikes hitting vital energy infrastructure between July 14 and July 16. The attacks targeted key oil fields including Khurmala, Sarsang, Peshkhabour, and Tawke, affecting international operators such as U.S.-affiliated HKN Energy and Norwegian company DNO. One attack on an HKN facility reportedly started a major fire.

Kurdish officials have been equally vocal. Interior Minister Reber Ahmed labeled the strikes "terrorist acts," telling journalists, "It is very clear where the drones are being directed from, as they always target the economic lifeline of the Kurdistan Region."

While no group has claimed responsibility, the attacks are widely attributed to outlaw Iraqi militia groups. Despite an investigation being launched by Prime Minister al-Sudani, no arrests have been reported, a key impetus for Monday's parliamentary session.